All Roll Calls
Yes: 93 • No: 6
New MexicoHB 3082025 Regular SessionHouse
REMOVE MRGCD FROM LOCAL ELECTION ACT
Sponsored By: Derrick J. Lente (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Landowners keep district voting access
For elections under Sections 73-18-25 through 73-18-43, voters need neither voter registration nor state, county, or precinct residence. Other voter qualifications still apply, and general election laws otherwise govern. The law preserves one director-at-large vote for qualified district residents who own district real estate. Qualified municipal-precinct residents keep one municipal-director vote, even when also voting elsewhere because they own class A land there.
District candidates face filing and signature rules
Middle Rio Grande candidates must file at least 60 days before the election and meet elector and residency requirements. County-seat candidates need 75 qualified signatures from county residents; at-large candidates need 125 qualified elector signatures. Under Sections 73-14-54 through 73-14-69, qualified candidates must notify the board secretary at least 40 days before voting. They need 20 qualified district signatures for an at-large seat, or 10 from residents of the county portion represented. Under Sections 73-14-70 through 73-14-88, qualified candidates must file with the secretary at least 20 days before voting. That notice must name the candidate and position and include at least 10 qualified district signatures. Under Sections 73-18-25 through 73-18-43, candidates must file with the district secretary by the last Friday in July. Their declaration must name the precinct sought and include at least 10 qualified signatures from that precinct.
Landowners face district voter eligibility checks
For the specified district elections, voters must be at least 18 and have owned qualifying district property for six months. The property must be subject to district appraisals, assessments, levies, and taxes; community or separate ownership counts. Recognized pueblo titleholders also qualify under the applicable rules. Ownership proof can include a deed, real estate contract, recorded property description, pueblo title-and-residence list, or current property tax bill. County and tribal records must be supplied by July 31, and the elector list must reach election officials at least 45 days before voting. A person missing from the list cannot vote, including an unlisted buyer who purchased within 90 days of the election. For a later election, a buyer must record a deed with the county clerk at least 90 days beforehand; the six-month ownership requirement still applies where required.
District boards control their election rules
The law excludes counties and Conservancy Act districts from the Local Election Act and takes effect immediately. Conservancy districts follow their own election laws instead. District boards, including Middle Rio Grande, can set reasonable rules for notices, polling places, ballots, and mail or absentee voting. Their rules can also cover election judges, voter instructions, counting votes, and certifying results. Under a separate election rule, districts replace directors whose terms expire on the second Tuesday of October in odd-numbered years. The board calls that election by resolution, chooses a location within the district, and sets election-judge pay. The district pays election costs, but the law creates no new taxes, fees, or household benefits.
District election dates retain canal limits
Beginning in 2025, Middle Rio Grande board elections fall on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in October. They repeat in each odd-numbered year. On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, the district must publish election and candidate-filing information. Districts governed by Sections 73-14-70 through 73-14-88 retain an October 1961 starting point and elections every two years. Those elections fall on the first Tuesday in October. Existing districts covered by those rules cannot hold elections until their main canals can deliver irrigation water to district lands. Districts formed after July 1, 1961, or existing districts with appointed boards, first vote on that October weekday in an odd-numbered year after canal readiness.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Derrick J. Lente
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
D. Wonda Johnson
Democratic • House
Gail Armstrong
Republican • House
Pat Woods
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/16/2025
Final Senate Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
Final House Vote
Yes: 55 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor - Chapter 21 - Mar. 21
3/21/2025SenatePassed in the Senate - Y:38 N:0
3/16/2025SenateSCONC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
3/13/2025SenateSRC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
3/7/2025SenateSent to SRC - Referrals: SRC/SCONC
3/5/2025SenatePassed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:6
3/5/2025HouseHJC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
3/1/2025HouseHGEIC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/15/2025HouseSent to HGEIC - Referrals: HGEIC/HJC
2/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Final Version
3/22/2025
SCONC Committee Report 3/13/25
3/13/2025
SRC Committee Report 3/07/25
3/7/2025
HJC Committee Report 3/01/25
3/1/2025
HJC Committee Substitute 3/01/25
3/1/2025
HGEIC Committee Report 2/15/25
2/15/2025
Introduced
2/5/2025